Recent Posts: Out of My Mouth

Y’all remember middle school? Maybe you’ve tried to forget but I know you remember those braids your mamma finally let you get. You remember when she made you take them out when you got that C on your report card too. Or that time your friend dared you to walk in the men’s bathroom and […]

Two years ago, I was single. I was 30 years old. In single girl years, that’s about 42. By that time, I had dealt with the roller coaster of emotions that come with the territory when you’re a somewhat traditional woman who wants the whole husband, children, house by a certain age – an age […]

I recently ran across a short story I wrote about five years ago. I was happy that it popped up, remembering that it had been my first attempt at writing prose. I thought I’d read it and be impressed with myself, maybe even inspired to build on it or create something new. I read the […]

Let’s take a moment to imagine what it would be like to have been in Dr. King’s posse, his crew. Imagine him rolling through your hometown on his way to his next planned protest, asking to stop by your church and commune with your congregation. Maybe practice his next televised speech. Maybe speak to the […]

I’m not sure what’s going on in 2019, but we’re 11 days into the year and I’ve been werking – with the e, not the o. Werk is the type you do that’s hard but fun and feels a little fabulous. It shouldn’t be confused with the work you do that’s not all that fun […]

Call It Out

A friend of the family took me to brunch when I first moved to Nashville. We were talking about this and that and came upon the subject of her daughter. Her daughter was one of few girls of color in her school, especially in some of the advanced placement courses. I think a teacher may have been treating her badly or unfairly and the family friend spoke to the teacher about it (In my head, I was like “oh, your daughter is spoiled and I see why.” I didn’t say this out loud or anything.) The family friend explained to me that she does not tolerate racist tom foolery. She calls people out their ish. We kept eating, and I thought some more on that.

As an aside, can I just say that the cheese grits at this place changed my life? Father God, these things were good. Gouda grits gotta be on deck in heaven. Gotta be.

I’m not exactly the fight-the-people type, but I do consider myself a warrior for justice. Hmmmm . . . maybe warrior is too strong. I’m at least somewhere on the battlefield. Might be the water girl, but I’m out there. So, if I’m not a protestor, a boycotter, or otherwise actively engaged in the movement, what’s my role? I can’t just think that all people should be treated equally and do nothing. But what can I do? What do I want to do? What seems right for me?

I think I can be like the family friend and call out racist tom foolery. I think I’ll throw in misogynistic tom foolery as well because that ish gets on my nerves too. So, you are warned (the 4.5 people who care to read my blog). Talk that racist or misogynistic tom foolery, and I will come for you in the most loving and tender way. I will be kind because I’m Mariah, but I will be honest because that’s me too.

I’ve been scared to be pegged as an angry black woman but hell, I am a little angry. I’ve been scared of offending people or making them uncomfortable but hell, I’m uncomfortable all the time. And the older I get, the more honest I am – with myself and with everybody around me.

Calling people out on their b.s. is not the only contribution I’ll make to this social justice movement; it’s one of many. I think we all have a contribution to make. You don’t like unfair wages? Start a letter writing campaign to your company’s CEO. You think gay marriage should be legal in your state? Show up at a few congressional hearings holding your boyfriend’s hand. You think people in low-income communities should have access to the same health care as those in more affluent communities? Bruh, stop being lazy and go to med school!

Who’s with me?!!!!

Anybody?

Anybody with me?

No?

Don’t make me call you out.

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I'm Mariah. Jesus is my homie. I live in (and was raised in) the south. I am, as often as possible, actively grateful for my family because I understand their life giving power. Really dislike melodramatics. Really love reading and writing so much so that I aspire to be an author. What else?